‘I’ll have a latte, please’: Childcare centre looks after parents and kids
Australia’s poshest new childcare centre charges $240 a day but cares for parents as well as kids, with mums and dads picking up a coffee, breakfast and even their online shopping.
Australia’s poshest new childcare centre is caring for adults as well as kids, with a cafe bar, concierge facilities and even a date night service.
Catering for busy working parents, the centre in Brisbane is believed to be among the first to offer such add-ons. It even has a fancy name - Plaîs- pronounced “play”.
The centre in Camp Hill in Brisbane’s inner east is purpose-built and sports an architectural Scandi design.
The three-level centre on Old Cleveland Rd sets a new benchmark for the sector, with parents able to grab a coffee and breakfast, collect take-away dinners, drop off laundry and receive parcel, shopping and pharmacy deliveries.
In a move sure to delight guilty parents, parents can even book in their child’s car seat to be cleaned.
At $240 a day before government subsidies kick in, it’s not cheap, but there’s also a full-time nurse on site, an in-house chef preparing fresh meals each day, an outdoor water play space for children, movie night area and fairy garden.
Plaîs CEO Scott Coulter said families “are juggling a lot and the traditional childcare model hasn’t evolved to meet those needs”.
“At Plaîs, we create centres that support the child, the parent and the rhythm of modern family life,” he said.
“Of course, it starts with the child. Our team’s focus is always on nurturing confident, capable learners who feel safe, supported and known.”
Centre manager Samantha Hayden said the company, which also has a centre on Abbott St in Camp Hill, “takes time to understand each child as an individual - how they learn, what inspires them and what they need to thrive”.
“That personal connection is at the heart of everything we do. As well as preparing children for school, we’re helping them build confidence, curiosity and a strong sense of belonging,” she said.
Dean Martin, a Coorparoo father-of-two, sends his son Lincoln, 3, to the centre and enjoys the extra services for parents. “It’s so quick and easy, and if I miss breakfast they can whip me something up,” he said. “I love it, they’re always happy to make me a coffee.”
He said Lincoln is happy at the centre. “The difference is how much the teachers put in, just the same as those on the front desk.
“And we’ve even got date night booked in when Lincoln is going to stay a bit longer so my wife and I can go out.”
A Plaîs centre is under construction on Kennedy Tce in Brisbane.
How does your childcare centre stack up? Leave a comment or email us at education@news.com.au
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Originally published as ‘I’ll have a latte, please’: Childcare centre looks after parents and kids
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